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What’s next for the Milwaukee Bucks? Former Coach of the Year says "they have to get perimeter defenders"

A bitter end could lead to some changes in the Milwaukee Bucks.
Matthew Dugandzic|
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Milwaukee Bucks

To say that it was a disappointing finish for the Milwaukee Bucks is an understatement.

The Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs after they endured a 128-126 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Thus, what was once a promising season ended in a 2-4 series loss in the very first round of the playoffs.

So what's next for the Bucks?

Former NBA Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell said the Bucks have to bring in pieces that have the capability to defend the perimeter.

"They got to get back to guarding the three-point line," said Mitchell during the post-game show of Game Time.

Mitchell observed that in the series, the Bucks' defense was predicated on "we're gonna give you contested three, but we don't want you attacking the paint."

"The thing that's weird about that is that Brook Lopez was second in the league in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Giannis has been a Defensive Player of the Year. They got the size to challenge and alter shots at the rim, but yet they backed up off guys. And that tells me that they gotta get some perimeter defenders. Allen and Connaughton and all those can shoot threes, but they can't defend the perimeter," said Mitchell.

Mitchell said the Bucks might have Jrue Holiday as a solid perimeter defender, but he had to sacrifice a lot by guarding Miami's Jimmy Butler.

"It took away his offense trying to guard Jimmy Butler for the whole game; it took away his decision-making. He got tired," said Mitchell.

Changes loom

Butler scored 42 points in Game 6. He had 56 when the Heat won Game 5, 119-114.

Former Coach of The Year said the bitter end could result in some tweaking for the Bucks.

"There's a lot to contemplate this year. I gotta feel there's gonna be some changes. Brook Lopez, the contract is up. Whenever you lose this early to an eighth seed, there's gonna be some changes in the roster. Everybody's gonna be evaluated from the coaches on down," Mitchell said.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.